The UK construction sector looked stronger in October November 2, 2016 Output in the UK's construction sector rose in October, thanks to another "solid" increase in the residential building sector. The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index for the construction sector rose to 52.6, up from 52.3 in September. Any figure above 50 denotes growth. The rise was driven by activity in the housing market, but the figures suggested [...]
Inflation to hit four per cent by end of 2017 November 2, 2016 UK inflation is set to rise from 0.7 per cent to four per cent by the end of next year, thanks to the falling pound. That's what the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) is forecasting anyway; the think tank says inflation will peak in the latter half of 2017 with a weak sterling [...]
Autumn Statement 2016: Should Hammond try his luck at some radical tax simplification? November 2, 2016 Scrap corporation tax. Scrap council tax. Scrap capital gains tax. And inheritance tax too. And business rates, the TV licence fee, the apprenticeship levy, all stamp duties, alcohol duties, tobacco duties – get rid of them all! These are the somewhat provocative proposals from a new report covered on today’s front page of City PM [...]
TUI must not get clouded by Brexit drama if it wants to woo more holidaymakers November 2, 2016 As the TUI Group embarks on a Europe-wide advertising campaign aimed at unifying the travel brand, it’s a good time to examine how the company has been faring. Recently, the group saw its share price rise following a better-than-expected outlook for its full-year earnings. YouGov tracking data suggests TUI’s brand Thomson has performed admirably in the midst [...]
17m of us are now part of the sharing economy – but could be uninsured for it November 2, 2016 Nearly a third of Brits are now part of the so-called sharing economy, renting out their homes, cars, and even their dogs, or using these services themselves. Some 17m people across the country participate in the new and growing sector, while one in 10 offer up their services, according to new research by Lloyds Bank Insurance Of [...]
Shrink the government to grow the British economy November 2, 2016 November is the month when many Christians remember the dead. This year, in the same month, the Institute of Economic Affairs is focusing on that other constant of life – taxes. Sadly in the UK, taxes seem not just inevitable, but ever-growing. In 2015, the government spent 46 per cent of national income. Government estimates [...]
CBI seeks R&D investment boost in Autumn Statement to offset weaker GDP growth forecast November 2, 2016 The CBI is urging the chancellor to provide investment in infrastructure and research and development in the upcoming Autumn Statement, to offset its lower predictions of GDP growth. The business group has revised its GDP growth forecasts down from two per cent to 1.3 per cent for next year and it expects business uncertainty to [...]
The people of Burnley and Bradford have a point about the impact of immigration November 1, 2016 The scenes as the migrant camp was cleared in Calais once again provoked bitter divisions in British society. Metropolitan luvvies and liberals tweeted their virtue and called for no restrictions on immigration. In more traditional areas, there is active resentment at the possibility of even further inflows of foreigners. When New Labour decided in the [...]
Theresa May’s industrial strategy isn’t about picking winners – but taking control of Britain’s economic destiny post-Brexit November 1, 2016 Purists likely shuddered at Theresa May’s commitment to a “proper, modern industrial strategy” as she reshaped the Business Department in July. Three decades of free market orthodoxy have convinced many business folk that a fully-fledged plan for industry represents a throwback to the 1970s, a decade when sickly British Leyland came to symbolise all that [...]
Kim Jong-un slashes beer prices to get rid of stock November 1, 2016 North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has cut the price of beer to get rid of excess ale that was bought for a festival in the summer. Demand has soared since Ryongsong Beer’s price was cut in half from 3,000 North Korean won to 1,500, and Taedong River Beer was reduced from KPW 6,000 to 5,000. It is thought that [...]
